MANILA, FEBRUARY 20, 2010 (STAR)By Helen Flores -
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said it will take advantage of
the World Robotics Olympiad (WRO), which will be held in Manila this November,
to help promote the country as a major tourist destination.

The DOST’s Science Education Institute said the Philippines is hosting for
the first time the competition from Nov. 6 to 7 with the theme “Robots Promote
Tourism.”

SEI said more than 1,000 elementary and high school students from 30
different countries are participating in this year’s WRO.

SEI director Ester Ogena said the WRO will showcase the country as an
international conference site and tourist destination.

“We look forward to increasing the number of tourists coming to the
Philippines with parents, coaches, teachers, students and international
organizers of the WRO taking a look of the beauty of our country,” she said.

The WRO has two categories: the Regular Category, which focuses on the
technical skills of the students, and the Open Category, which is the creative
category where students can better present their ingenuity using Lego products.

Ogena said this event will bring closer to the Filipinos the need to build a
culture of science and technology in the country.

Moreover, Ogena said the WRO is an effective strategy to enhance the interest
of the youth in science and technology.

“We are optimistic that through the WRO, we will be able to encourage the
youth to become future scientists, inventors and engineers. Robotics
competitions provide the youth the opportunity to grasp and apply electronics
and information technology,” she said.

The Philippines has been a consistent participant of international
competitions, especially in science and mathematics.

[2 PhotoS at left - 'GUNDAM ROBOT' IN THE CITY OF JAPAN to promote the 2016
Olympic’s bid and to promote tourism to Odaiba. The Gundam statue stands 59 feet
tall! So to be eye level with it you’d have to be about six stories up. Gundam
is a Japanese anime series created by Yoshiyuki Tomino which is seen as a symbol
for positivity and inspiration. It really makes you admire the positive attitude
and cultural relationship the Japanese have with robotics and technology.]

Can robots promote tourism?

Imagine walking in a historical place, basking at the different events that
once passed the place and being toured by a very able tourist guide. The only
thing different is that, the guide is not human.

For the first time in robotics history, the Philippines will be hosting the
World Robotics Olympiad (WRO) on November 6-7, 2010.

With the theme “Robots Promote Tourism,” more than 1,000 elementary and high
school students from about 30 different countries will be converging in Manila
to compete in this year's WRO.

The WRO has two categories: the Regular Category, which focuses on the
technical skills of the students and the Open Category, which is the creative
category where students can better present their ingenuity using Lego products.

Science Education Institute Director Dr. Ester B. Ogena said the Philippine
government is very excited in hosting this year's WRO as it showcases the
scientific prowess of Filipino students especially in the field of robotics.

“This will bring closer to the Filipinos the need to build a culture of
science and technology in the country through this competition,” she said.

Ogena said the WRO will illustrate the country as an international conference
site and tourist destination.

“We look forward to increasing the number of tourists coming to the
Philippines with parents, coaches, teachers, students and international
organizers of the WRO taking a look of the beauty of our country,” she said.

More importantly, Ogena noted, the WRO is an effective strategy to enhance
the interest of the youth in science and technology.

“We are optimistic that through the WRO, we would be able to encourage the
youth to become future scientists, inventors and engineers. Robotics
competitions provide the youth the opportunity to grasp and apply electronics
and information technology,” she said.

Ogena added that the WRO will bring out from the youth their potential to
excel and use it as a way of life.

“Young people who attend competitions like the WRO develop the interest and
initiative to strive for excellence in robotics and later in their careers in
widely diverse fields,” she said.

Ogena said the WRO will also promote mutual understanding and cooperation
among all participants.

“The WRO is a venue for exchange on information on educational syllabi and
practice. It also creates a friendly environment to give the participants the
opportunity to get to know and understand each other,” she said.

The Philippines has been a consistent participant of international
competitions especially in science and mathematics.

Every year, the Philippines has been raking in awards in these competitions,
proof of it was 2009's 303 recipients of the Youth Excellence in Science (YES)
Award. The 2009 YES Awardees garnered some 450 gold, silver and bronze medals in
international science and mathematics competitions. (30)